Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, at the position of CEO and board member of Egypt's Commercial International Bank (CIB), has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Global Finance magazine, an honor that is very prestigious and symbolizes his large-scale and revolutionary impact on the banking industry in Egypt. Joseph D. Giarraputo, founder and editorial director of Global Finance, pointed out Al-Arab's contribution to making CIB a worldwide recognized bank and the most successful private bank in Egypt. His revolving commitment to innovation and quality has set new standards for the entire sector, thus he is the right person to receive the prize.

Developing CIB into a Top Notch Financial Institution

Al-Arab’s got to CIB in 1999, was then the Chairman and Managing Director from 2002 to 2020. His time during which the bank's market capitalization grew from $200 million to over $6 billion can be referred to as his era of continuous triumph. His visionary thinking and guidance were significant in making CIB a leading player in Egypt's banking arena. Bank's power was not only felt in the local market but was also recognized and appreciated in the whole industry as a secure and high-quality institution thanks to the management's initiatives.

Expanding Horizons

The year 2020 was a major turning point for Al-Arab as he departed from CIB and launched HE Advisory, a consulting firm that mainly offers assistance to fintech companies in the areas of risk management, growth strategies, and fundraising. Al-Arab’s knowledge and his advice have been a great help to the companies that are struggling financially. For instance, Al-Arab with the help of his vast experience and know-how to the firm has won over the market by encouraging the adoption of sound financial practices.

Return to CIB: Steering Regional Growth

In 2022 the company, CIB, was one and the same again, and by that time, Al-Arab had to take up the position of a non-executive director where he would be mainly responsible for the bank's strategy to expand its business into the eastern part of Africa. The same year he was appointed as the Chairman of the bank and in September 2024 he was once again given the role of the CEO.

The management led by him now controls the bank's long-term strategy which consists of digital transformation, sustainability, and regional development being the primary goals. With Al-Arab at the helm, CIB has not only set the standard for the industry but has also kept on reinventing itself through the continuous alignment with the changing financial trends.

Social Responsibility Commitment

He is a banker but his social responsibility will always come first and foremost on his agenda. Among the major banking professional achievements he would like to be remembered for, Al-Arab's name runs closest to that of the CIB Foundation, a non-profit organization he chairs actively working to improve.

Moreover, the organization has had a positive impact on the health and well-being of more than seven million young Egyptians and it champions the right to health care of good quality for all. His commitment to social responsibility is but a reflection of a grand leadership vision that not only takes into account the business's success but also its societal impact.

A Glorious Past

Hisham Ezz Al-Arab's career was a mixture of visionary leadership and firm commitment to excellence. He has left a great mark on not only CIB but also on the entire banking sector in Egypt. The Lifetime Achievement Award of Global Finance is a notable acknowledgment of his remarkable accomplishments and that he is still a very influential person.